God’s Anger, Achan’s Sin, and the Wake-Up Call We All Need (Joshua 7)

bishopkristi8
Nov 2
5 min read

Updated: Nov 4

As I was reading Joshua 7, I found myself asking God question after question, trying to make sense of it all. Later, in my quiet place, He gave me a whole revelation.

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I Know everyone Already knows Sin separates us from God, but this Chapter really puts things in perspective of just how SERIOUS sin is!!

Let's quickly breakdown what chapter 7 is about first...

At the start of the chapter, we learn that the Lord was burning with anger because Israel had violated His command. A man named Achan had secretly taken items from Jericho that were supposed to be destroyed or dedicated to the Lord.

Unaware of this sin, Joshua sent spies to scout the city of Ai. The spies reported that Ai was small and could be defeated easily, so Joshua sent 3,000 men to battle. But instead of victory, the Israelites were chased from the gates of Ai, and 36 men were killed. The defeat caused the people to lose heart.

Because of this, Joshua fell facedown before the ark of the Lord, and asked God why He had brought them across the Jordan only to let them be defeated.

But the Lord replied:

“Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned.” “They have violated My covenant, taken devoted things, stolen, deceived, and hidden them among their belongings. That’s why they cannot stand before their enemies.”

God warned that He would no longer be with them unless they removed the stolen items and consecrated themselves. He laid out a process: the next morning, He would identify the guilty man by narrowing down from tribe → clan → household → individual. That man—and the stolen items—would be burned.

The next morning, they did as God directed, and at the end they discovered Achan was the one who had sinned. He confessed to taking a beautiful robe, silver, and gold from Jericho. Messengers went up to get the items from his tent and brought them before Joshua and the people.

Then Joshua said:

“Why did you bring trouble on us? Now The Lord brings trouble on you today.”

Achan, his sons, and daughters were stoned and burned, and a large pile of stones was raised over him. The Lord then turned from His burning anger, and the place was named the Valley of Achor—meaning trouble.

YALL.......

This was a WHOLE lot to take in and process because as I was reading this, I just kept thinking things just seemed so harsh, but here's the things I took away from everything given...

⚠️ God Warned Israel

Before Jericho fell, God gave a direct warning:

“But keep yourselves from the things set apart, or you will be set apart for destruction. If you take any of those things, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and make trouble for it.” — Joshua 6:18

Everything in Jericho—except Rahab, her family, and the gold, silver, bronze, and iron—was to be destroyed or dedicated to the Lord. All the worldly things were marked for destruction.

Overconfidence Led to Fall

Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground and just seen Jericho fall. They were likely feeling unstoppable. But Joshua didn’t seek the Lord before attacking Ai. Had he done so, he would’ve known that God was burning with anger.

Instead, they acted on their own—and 36 men died. That defeat opened their eyes and drove Joshua to fall facedown before the Lord. Only then did God reveal:

“Israel has sinned.”

One Man’s Sin Affected Everyone

Even though Achan alone took the devoted things, God said:

“They have transgressed… They have taken… They have lied…”

Why? Because God had warned that if anyone took what was set apart, the whole camp would be set apart from Him. This was a communal consequence and shows that Sin separates us from God.

👀 Sometimes It Takes Something Bad to Wake Us Up

The defeat at Ai was devastating—but it led to repentance. Sometimes, God allows bad moments to open our eyes to what’s hidden.

Achan’s Family: Silent Complicity

This part was especially hard. Achan’s children were punished with him. In those days, families shared tents—so it’s likely they knew what he had done and said nothing.

I’ve always taught my kids: if you’re around someone doing wrong and you stay silent, you’re just as guilty.

So basically, his kids silence made them complicit. It’s a harsh reminder of the weight of accountability.

🧭My whole takeaway:

Sin separates us from God

It may seem like this chapter is just about judgement, and harsh discipline.

But I see it as God’s Great Love for us—a warning meant to protect us from the things of this world that separate us from Him.

A chance for us to let go of what’s set apart for destruction and draw closer to Him.

If we hold on to the things of this world meant for destruction, no matter how beautiful or good they may seem to our human eyes, we risk being destroyed with them. Just like Achan.

Because God cannot be with us if we’re attached to what He has set out to be destroyed.

Disobedience to His Warning does Not only affect us, but it can also affect those closest to us!

Just like Achan’s sin affected Israel, and his kids, our choices can trickle down.

We are Not guaranteed tomorrow...

So, the harsh reality is eternal separation from Him if we disobey the warnings and refuse to let go!

At the end of the day...the punishment in this chapter may seem Harsh....but it's reality, and God is trying to save us from the ultimate reality of being destroyed and separated from Him forever.

Achan is our example of the Harsh Reality -- We CAN and WILL BE SEPARATED from Him if we hang onto the things that separate us!!

💡Ask yourself today...

Is there something in this world that God has asked you to let go of?!? Are you willing to give up what’s set apart for destruction in order to walk closely with Him?

⬇️I would Love to hear your thoughts! Let's stay connected...Feel free to respond and leave a comment below!!⬇️